Wrong holiday, right idea: Christmas thanks

I tend to reflect on the past year at Christmastime, and look forward to the future on New Year’s. When I think about where I was on this day last year, I laugh at the simplicity of things at that point in time. Apartment living, just the two of us (well, three, counting the cat), heading to West Virginia to see our families and celebrate with lots of great food, gifts, and some good coffee talk with my mom, plus bowl game watching with my step-dad. So easy.

With all of our family in West Virginia, Todd and I work as a team to make everything work here in New York; we rely on the connections we’ve made in the Capital District during the past two years to help guide us in the right direction. Referrals are like gold to us; from dentists and doctors to real estate agents, we go by what trusted friends tell us and do what needs to be done.
Thankfully, the various services and helping hands we’ve been provided throughout this past year have been nothing short of wonderful. A lot of great people in this area have played a huge role in making our challenging year a very enjoyable one:

The staff at Fraida Varah Real Estate Group. Fraida and our buyer agent, Lisa, were huge sources of information, guidance and all-around fantastic support. I’ll never forget Lisa’s enthusiasm and dedication. I always felt that I could depend on her, and throughout the entire scary first-time home-buying process, she kept me sane. Also, she gifted me with six cupcakes from Fluffalicious on the day of the survey – this worked out nicely for my pregnancy cravings.

Joanne Russell of The Mortgage Place in Clifton Park handled everything financially related, which was a little tricky with a West Virginia bank involved. Fast, efficient, honest and to-the-point, I really liked working with Joanne and especially admired how appreciative she was of our business.

All of Todd’s colleagues, as well as his Spring semester students, were especially helpful in ways they could never thoroughly understand. Basically, my husband’s academic family kept him focused and energized during a stressful time of home buying and impending parenthood.

My co-workers at Walrath Recruiting were just phenomenal human beings this year. The ladies kept me fed, in a good mood and have become family to not only me, but my husband, son, and our families as well. Plus, they hosted a beautiful baby shower for me and H. Jay at Saratoga Golf – nothing short of amazing.

The photo lab employees at Walgreens on Central Avenue have printed hundreds of baby instagram photos and have yet to mess up my sometimes complicated orders of 4×4 and 8×8 prints. I heart you.

Richie @ Rumors Salon & Spa was the best person to complain to when my girls from work weren’t around. Plus, he made my hair look fabulous as my face took on that very pregnant, swollen appearance.

McGinnis Women’s Medical Care in Albany was conveniently located to my office, which worked out perfectly during those frequent prenatal care appointments. I appreciated how practical the staff members were, the super honest advice they provided, and their urgency to answer any questions or concerns I had after-hours. Bernice and Regina were my favorites.

Bellevue Women’s totally rocks, and made the intense labor and delivery experience something I manage to look back at now with warm, happy feelings. Dr. Kulbida understood my anxieties, Dr. Kim performed the blood patch that immediately relieved me of spinal headache and enabled me to get back to caring for my little guy, and “Nurse Jenna” – who worked the night shift during my two days of recovery – was a Godsend. Everyone in the nursery was great, too – we suddenly had no idea how to feed our baby or change a diaper when H. Jay was brought to my room, but they never once judged and happily helped us out.

Petra of Anchor No. 5 Boutique in Troy made an absolutely gorgeous diaper bag for me – one that serves its purpose, but doesn’t scream unstylish, bulky “MOMMMMMMMMMMMYYYYYY!”

Dr. Duff and the nurses at Community Care Physicians in Latham are so perfect for us and our baby. Having a great pediatrician is something I never realized the importance of until we started taking Jay to his appointments; CCP staff members are gentle, knowledgeable, and best of all, to-the-point.

As per usual, Lori Doyle and the staff at Twenty Toes Cat Sitting took great care of Diego when we needed them. Most recently, Caryn took care of Diego and shoveled a path in over a foot of snow for us to get into our house when we returned from our trip to West Virginia a couple weeks ago. I would’ve never expected that! Amazing.

I’m sure I’ve forgotten half a dozen more who deserve thanks, but it’s these people who immediately come to my mind when I look back on a year that could’ve been complete chaos without their help.
I’m excited to go home, kick my feet up, enjoy Christmas Eve/Christmas Day, and reflect on one heck of a damn good year.

Card design courtesy of Julie Curd.

Stephanie Snyder

8 Responses

Okay, so now I’ve had my first cry today just looking at your absolutely beautiful little boy. As the parent of five fully grown adult children, and now enjoying beautiful grand-children (who range in age from pre-school to their 20’s), I so loved those baby years of long ago. Savor every moment, Stephanie, and have a very blessed and happy Christmas and New Year!

Beautiful post! I thank you for allowing me to witness via your blog and facebook, this wonderful year. It’s been such a pleasure and brought many hours of enjoyment!!! And I adore the Christmas card, thank you so much! I pray you and your family have a WONDERFUL Christmas and I wish you all the best for 2014!

Merry Christmas Stephanie! I am a frequent reader, but haven’t commented since your first post. I am also a mom of 3 boys. I wanted to tell you that I really enjoy your blog. I find your topics interesting, of course, but I think you are a great writer. I really like your writing style, and I suppose how honest you are with us, as readers. Glad you guys decided to head up to New York a few years ago. Hope your holiday with your boys was great! Kids definitely spice things up, and help you gain some valuable perspective.

Thanks so much for reading, Kristin! I appreciate your kind words 🙂 there definitely isn’t any honesty shortage here, that’s for sure! We had the merriest of Christmases – literally the best Christmas Day I’ve ever experienced. I hope yours was just as magical 🙂 happy New Year!

That card is absolutely precious! I am thankful to have stumbled on to your blog (and instagram!) and added it to my viewing rotation – you make this soon-to-be mom even more excited when I read about H. Jay and your adventures!

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